Interview with Soo In Chae
Enleum Inc.
Red Dot: In developing the OZREE glass cutter, who was your target audience?
We envisaged the cutter being used by people who want to immerse themselves in glass art and have grown tired of conventional tools – people who want glass cutters that are in no way inferior to their creations in terms of beauty. We wanted to develop a tool that they would enjoy using from the moment they picked it up.
Conventional glass cutters have a covered tip. Yours doesn’t. Why is that?
Artists often use cutters to trace patterns under the glass, so we wanted to prevent the tool from restricting their view. We had to completely rethink the shape of the handle and the position of the cutting wheel and test them extensively until we found the right balance. The tip is now reminiscent of the clear and elegant silhouette of a Japanese sword, and it permits accurate working with minimum effort.
OZREE is shaped like a calligraphy pen. What was your inspiration?
We wanted users to feel like they were drawing rather than cutting, and to create a tool that allows the same light and elegant movements obtained when using a pen or brush. The diamond patterns on the handle look like the geometric shapes found in traditional Kumiko woodworking or Kiriko glass art.
The handle of the glass cutter is very special …
We chose the diamond cut to demonstrate how beauty, comfort and functionality can be combined. The handle is designed to rest comfortably in the hand and to reduce fatigue, even when used for any length of time; and the facets prevent the cutter from rolling away on the table. Finesse and restraint are very popular aspects of Japanese aesthetics. We integrated these qualities into the design because we believe that this understated beauty enriches creativity.
